Protective device for use in hot-metal ladles



F. L. ARENSBERG Sept. 30, 1930.

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR USE IN HOT METAL LADLES Filed July 1, 1929 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 30, 1930 5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

FRANCIS L'ARENSBERG; F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO VESITVIUQ CRUCIBLE COMPANY, OF SYLVANIA Application lfiled. July 1,

This invention relates to "protective devices for use in hot metal ladles', and more particularly to devices for protecting the ladle stopper rod assembly from deleterious action of the contents of the ladle. It relates still more particularlyto a device adapted to be loosely disposed about a ladle stopper .rod assembly and to be' movable up and down with respect thereto in accordance with the level of the contentsof the ladle.

The usual type ofhot metal ladle comprises a refractory lining surrounded by a layer of brick and having a metal exterior. Such a ladle has a bottom outlet through which molten .metal contained therein is adapted to be drawn off, there being a stop per cooperating with the outlet tocontrol the flow of the metal. The stopperisdisposed within the ladle and has connected with it a vertically extending rod. Through suitable mechanism the rod and stopper are adapted to be raised and lowered to control the flow of the metal out of the ladle.

The stopper rod is customarily covered with protective material, such as clay, which shields it from the direct action of the molten metal. Slag forms on top of the metal in the ladle and such slag has a decidedly detrimental "effect on the clay which surrounds the stopper rod. Particularly when the slag is basic in character it is very corrosive and eats away the clay, thereby greatly reducing the life of the protective means.

This corrosive action has long been recog,

nized but, so far as'I am advised, no practicable means to decrease or eliminate it has heretofore been'found.

I have distinguished above the stopper rod proper and the stopper rodassembly, comprising the rod itself and its protective clay covering. However, for simplicity I shall hereafter merely refer to the stopper rod, which'term, in both the specification and claims, shallcomprehend both the rod aloneand the assembly;

I provide in combination a hot metal ladle" having a stopper and stopper rod, and a protective device adaptedto be disposed between the rod and the slag on" top of the metal. contained in the ladle whereby to pro-' SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or 2mmrno'rno'rivn nuvrcn non use IN HOT-METAL LADLES 1929. Serial No. 375,099.

posed about the stopper rod of a hot metal ladle to protect the rod from the deleterious action of the slag on top of the metal. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention wherein, 1 Figure l is a central vertical cross-section through a hot metal ladle; 7

Figures 2 and 3 are central vertical cross sections through certain forms of protective members; and Figure 4 is a perspective View of still an other form of protective member. Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral'Q designates gener ally a hot metal ladle having the usual re fractory lining 3 surrounded by a brick or metal body 4. The ladle is provided at its bottom with a metal outlet 5 with which cooperates a refractory stopper 6. .The stopper 6 has a central vertical hole 7 therethrough which is enlarged at the lower end, as shown at 8 A bolt having a stem 9 and a head 10 cooperates with the stopper to connect it'with a rod 11, the boltthreading into the lower extremity of the rod, as shown in Figure 1. The rod 11 is surrounded throughout substantially its entire length withyprotective clay sleeves l2 which have interlocking hubs and flanges, as shownin Figure 1. These sleeves, together jwith the stopperfi, efiec tively protect the rod 11 from the direct effect of the metal contained withinthe ladle. The rod 11 is threaded 'atitsupper extremity and has connected therewith by meansof adjusting nuts 13a lever 14 having a pivot 15 on a fulcrum 16 fixed to the ladle. Also fixed to the ladle is a lug 17 having pivoted thereto at 18 a lever 19. Pivot-ed to the lever 19 at 20 and to the lever 14 at 21 is a link 22. As'is well lmowmthe stopper is controlled by operation of the tive device adapted to be disposed between the rod and the slag on top of the metal.

3. In combination, a hot metal ladle having a stopper and stopper rod, and loosely fitting protective means about the rod adapted to move up and down in the ladle in accordance with the level of the contents thereof.

4;. In combination, a hot metal ladle having a stopper and stopper rod, and a sleeve about the rod adapted to float on the fluid contents of the ladle with a portion of the sleeve substantially lower than the surface of the fluid contents of the ladle.

Q 5. In combination, a hot metal ladle having a stopper and stopper rod, and a protective device of less specific gravity than the metal in the ladle and looselyv disposedon the rod. 1

6. In combination, a hot metal ladle having a stoppervand stopper rod, and a loosely mounted slag-resistant protective device adapted to be disposed between the rod and the slagon top of the metal.

7 In combination, a hot metal ladle having a stopper and stopper rod, and a slag-resist ant sleeve about the rod, such sleeve having a specific gravity less than that of the fluid metal in the ladle.

8. In combination, a hot metal ladle having a stopper and stopper rod, and a slagresistant sleeveloosely fitting the rod and adapted to float on the metal inthe ladle.

' 9. A hollow slag-resistant protective device adapted to be disposed about the stopper rod of a hot metal ladle to protect the rod from'the deleterious action of the slag on top of the metal. V

10. A hollow graphitic protective sleeve for use about the stopper rod of a hot metal ladle to protect the rod from the deleterious action of the slag on top of the metal.

11. A protective device for ladle stopper rods, comprising a hollow slag-resistant member whose lower portion is provided with means directing the flow of hot metal therepast and out of the ladle.

12. A protective sleeve for ladle stopper rods, comprising a body portion having metal pouring openings in its walls.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 7

v FRANCIS L. ARENSBERG. 

